I know you are tuning in with great anticipation from the previous post at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse to see what the big excitement the next day was. Well, this is…not it. Oh, don’t be a hater…it’s called blogging foreplay!

It was now Sunday, October 19th and we had 8 hours left to seize the day before heading home. Not only we would seize it but I would make sure it was captured forever in our memories. My aunt wanted this weekend to be completely me me me and while that was great there was something that I knew she really wanted to do. A self-guided tour of Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle, Washington located at the Seattle Center which has been open since 2012.

Dale Chihuly a is world-renowned artist unique to the art of glass-blowing. An American born citizen he studied overseas and honed his skills and today his highly acclaimed work can be found in exhibits around the world. In 1976 he was involved in a car accident that left him blind in one eye and a loss of depth perception. From there he mentored others to do the actual work for him.

Here is brief video demonstrating a bit of that art in the process of being created if you’ve never seen it…

Dale Chihuly was born in 1941 in Tacoma, Washington. I know, the pirate look rocks doesn’t it? I would not call him a pirate though because that injury costs him his love of being able to handle the glass blowing pipes.
We began the self-paced, $18.00/person tour and there are numerous plaques giving explanations for the various art work. It took us about an hour and a half total walking time.

I kept losing track of my aunt which I think equates to her intentionally ditching me for her own alone time. I was standing in front of this “Drawing Walls” plaque trying to take a picture and you see my flash rebound on the left side.

There was a tug on my arm which startled the bejesus out of me with a whispered question, “Did you read the sign?”
My ninja aunt had found me.
I answered in my ever frisky self mode, “I was trying to until you tugged on my arm.”
THUD!! I got a nice assertive elbow to the side of my ribcage. Ninja aunt with Batgirl reflexes.
She finished, “I meant the sign that says flashbulbs are prohibited in here smarty pants.”

Ooopsy.

I think this was called the Bridge of Glass, yet another amazing display at Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle, Washington.

It was great because I caught those two totally hot girls with their arms stretched out above their heads and snapped the photo.

Ohhh, don’t be judgmental.

Look it tilts too!! *ahem*

What a gift and vision Dale Chihuly has had all of his life and we are so fortunate to be able to enjoy it at Chihuly Garden and Glass in iSeattle, Washington.

Hey, what is this tall structure?! Must go investigate…

It gets better….as in knock your socks off, blowing your skirt up better. If you aren’t wearing one…please do so before my next post.

Mike Vogler

I have been told (many times) that I really need to write a book about my life. The past 50+ years have been an exciting ride, and these days I find myself with a great many passions. However, I feel that this website is a much more personal way with which to share my musings, stories and commentary.

Those are very nice memories, a treasure to cherish! These artistic pieces remind me of a similar Glass Museum, which I had visited in 2008 at the east coast, near Buffalo – The Corning Museum Of Glass…it was an exhilarating experience! I was truly amazed at the glass trees, which welcomed us at the entrance and I went crazy, eager to take more and more pics!
Thanks for sharing another unique experience sans food, which is your forte!

When we were driving across country in December 2013 we visited the Tucson Botanical Gardens (which are amazing by the way) and there was a showing of Chihuly Glass throughout the gardens. The contrast between the desert life/plants and the glass, was all kinds of fabulous. So glad you got to enjoy the experience.

Wow, what truly incredible pieces of artwork – I have never seen anything like these before, so unique and so beautiful! But as good at they are they have not quite distracted me from the fact you’re leaving us hanging! It better be a good story if you’re making us wait this long! Haha 🙂

I’m a big fan of Dale Chihuly, he’s exhibited quite a lot in London so I loved this post, Mike. Didn’t realise that he couldn’t make the pieces himself so all the more impressive what he has achieved. The Glasshouse looks stunning

Someday I am going to own a Macchia piece and have a glasshouse! Well, maybe visit his glasshouse but those Macchia pieces – I adore them! I’m glad you shared this man’s amazing work. He is beyond being just “gifted”

wow – what a very talented man. It takes a very special skill to be able to ‘Teach” another person a Skill they have. He lost his eyesight, but gee did he gain way more….he gained so many other people who were able to help put his paintings into Glass Sculptures, and for that to happen is way behind talented.
I played the video for my boys {and hubby} they all were blown away by the fact that glass could get that hot, be shaped and melted into a design.
The colours of the displays in the art gallery….wow. And hey your Photos are gorgeous xx

Well that was a post and a half Mike. I kept on seeing glass work that I was sure would be my favourite piece of the exhibition, only to find another and another. What a talent. The colours are so vibrant. Glad your Aunt warned you about the flash before you got asked to leave, lol.

Wow! How gorgeous and spectacular, Mike. Thanks for sharing this beautiful art. I will go there when I get to Seattle next. My very good friend is a glass artist living outside Seattle. I had the pleasure of staying with her last summer (with all my childhood girlfriends). She lives on a huge property with a gorgeous studio on site. It’s a fascinating art. I can’t wait to find out what you and your Ninja Aunt do next 🙂

Stunning work! Never truly appreciated what an artform it is, until we watched a master glassblower in Venice create an exquisite horse from a molten glob of glass in seconds, right before our wondering eyes. No Ninja Aunts though…..unless….well it’s not like I would know they were there, if they didn’t want me to…..

I’d never heard of him before, but incredible work. They are gorgeous. It reminds me of taking the ferry from Venice to Burano and watching them go to work on the blown glass, but even those were not in a setting like this, 🙂 Awesome post. It feels like l was there with you!!!

Haha blogging foreplay, LOVE it! That blue one is my fave, it reminds me of a bunch of jellyfish coming together in the ocean, really magical!! This seems like such a well curated exhibition, if I find myself in Seattle I’m totally going to check this out, Mike!

Hi Mike, I’m am a Chihuly fan! I’ve seen his amazing glassworks but I didn’t kinow about his drawing. They look incredible. Thank you for showing us a lot more of his beautiful pieces. I was busy with work when I was in Seattle; I make sure to visit the museum next time. I’m glad your aunt caught you using the flash before the museum security did! 🙂

I usually do wear skirts or dresses, but it’s 9 degrees today so can you schedule your next post on a warmer day? Yes.
And silly you – with all that glass, flash photography would not be the way to go!

I know, I know…it was an accident and I quickly caught my mistake. Thank you for the being the ONLY one to comment about the skirt, Tamara! That post was laden with humor and was met with crickets LOL 🙂

Lucky you! I so love Chihuly’s work. I’ve been wanting to go back to Seattle and this would be one of the first places I’d visit. What a great virtual tour, Mike. I love the garden and just everything here. Every time we go to Vegas, I stop at Bellagio to see the Conservatory and gaze for minutes at his amazing work in the lobby. Your aunt is such a hoot!

Oh you sound like me! We went to a war exhibit (1812 in Ottawa – well it is right on the border of Quebec) and I started snapping pictures of some of the uniforms. This woman (a French tourist) started “whisper scolding” me in French and I couldn’t understand her. Then Shawn poked me and pointed at the wall to a NO CAMERA FLASH sign.
Ooops!!
No uniforms were harmed.
My pride….yes.
Those are gorgeous. Must have been something spectacular to see in person.

Dang, I would love to see that war exhibit, Kimberly! It was definitely not my finest few moments (in hindsight) to have the flash going off. But, then again it’s all about the Adventures of Mike! I’m a daily whirlwind of what will happen next? 🙂

wow that glass house sculpture is amazing. It looks like you had a wonderful time at the gallery and gardens. I have been known to take photos where I shouldn’t as well because I don’t read the signs. oh well.
Happy travels, have a great weekend ahead, and thank you for stopping by to smell the sunflowers with me today.

I LOVE glass. Blown glass. Glass. LOVE love love it. So much. I went to a gallery years ago in Taos and that’s all they had – amazing. And wait what? I need to wear a skirt for your next post? ooooh laaa laaa!

That’s what thrills me the most today for him, Dana. Is that he can has been able to somehow pass on his very unique talent. You know what is a bit different about me is that I’m not a souvenir kind of person. The only exception is Golden Retriever and wolf stuff 🙂